ASHLAND - A new public access show on WACA-TV is being described as Ashland’s version of “60 Minutes” for the average person.

The show is only half an hour long and invites viewers to bring forth any questions or concerns they have about town policies and leadership.

The show, titled "What’s Really Going On?," is anchored by longtime residents Julie Nardone and Jim Hanna, both deeply involved in civic life.

Hanna, who was on the Zoning Board of Appeals for 15 years and Nardone, former Ashland Historical Commission chairwoman, joined forces a few years ago to preserve Town Hall.

“It is so much fun to get involved with your government,” said Nardone in her first show which aired on Jan. 30.

The show format is simple, Hanna and Nardone sit at a kitchen table in the WACA studio and talk about questions they have about town policies and procedures.

“This is an opportunity to hear the word of folks and get that word when the word can make a difference,” said Nardone in an email on Thursday.

Residents are given a chance to speak at the beginning of every Board of Selectmen meeting. However, that opportunity isn’t always taken.

At the last selectmen meeting, nobody got up to speak during that public comment portion of the meeting.

Nardone says the public comment segment isn’t helpful to residents.

“Questions often get answered in a superficial way that makes the person wonder why he or she bothered to show up in the first place,” she said.

With the show, which has only aired two episode so far, Hanna and Nardone hope to educate people about things like leadership, the charter and other Ashland policies.

“You’ve now got a place to go to get information,” said Hanna on the Jan. 30 show.

In the first episode, the duo addressed Ashland’s history of water problems.

WACA-TV Executive Director Barbara Chisholm says this is the first show the channel has done that gives the average person's take on what’s happening in town.

Episodes will be aired on television and online through Vimeo, a video sharing website. Chisholm says it will take another three or four more episodes for the channel to get a sense of how many people are watching the show.

People can send their questions and concerns to whatsreallygoingon@mail.com and Hanna and Nardone will address them on the show.

Anamika Roy can be reached at 508-626-3957 or aroy@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @anamikaroy.